About Me

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I am a Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach based in Sarasota, Florida.  I received my certification from the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy (functionalmedicinecoaching.org), which is a collaboration with the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM.org).  I'm also a certified personal trainer as well.  I LOVE helping people elevate their lives by achieving their health and wellness goals. Scroll down for more information on Functional Medicine and Functional Medicine Health Coaching.

I began experiencing symptoms of IBS as a young teenager. In the course of 24 years, I went to several practitioners, tried many medications, and went through countless tests to try to solve my stomach issues, with no results. Then I found Functional Medicine, and it forever changed my life! Once I learned the principles of Functional Medicine and felt the healing power of lifestyle changes, I began feeling well for the first time in decades. I worked my way back to good health and felt well again on a regular basis. Wellness is an amazing feeling that I never take for granted.

Let's work together on the health goals that are important to you.  Whether you have a protocol to follow from your doctor or have your own issues in mind, we will set sustainable goals and create strategies for effective lifestyle adjustments that you are excited about.  My own journey back to health has given me insight into the many challenges one encounters making lifestyle changes.  This prepares me to bring a high level of empathy, respect, and understanding to my clients.  I'm not just your coach.  I'm your partner!

As stated on The Institute for Functional Medicine website (ifm.org), Functional Medicine is a systems biology-based approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease.  Persons who are not feeling well may experience one or more symptoms that might be contributing to an individual's poor health.  Inflammation, for example, can be the cause of a number of different health issues.  The exact way that inflammation affects us depends on our genes, lifestyle factors, and our environment.

The Functional Medicine model "evolved from the insights and perspectives of a small group of influential thought leaders who realized the importance of an individualized approach to disease causes based on the evolving research in nutritional science, genomes, and epigenetics. These thought leaders found ways to apply these new advances in the clinic to address root causes using low-risk interventions that modify molecular and cellular systems to reverse these drivers of disease."  See ifm.org for more information or find to a Functional Medicine Practitioner in your area.  One must be a licensed healthcare professional to be eligible to become a certified Functional Medicine practitioner.

The Functional Medicine Coaching Academy is a collaboration with the Institute for Functional Medicine.  Functional Medicine Health Coaches learn the basic principles of Functional Medicine from mind, body and spirit perspectives.  Instructors are Functional Medicine Practitioners, many practicing and/or teaching physicians at leading institutions.  Coaches are educated on topics including weight management, detoxification, auto-immune conditions, cardio metabolic syndrome, hormones, intestinal dysbiosis, thyroid function, inflammation, stress, meditation, exercise and much more.  As your health coach, it would be my honor to assist you on your own journey back to feeling well.